19 July 1991
His Excellency The Hon Raymond E Seitz
Ambassador
American Embassy
Grosvenor Square
London W1A 1AE
I am writing to thank you for the United States' warm statement welcoming and supporting the understanding reached between Britain and China on Hong Kong's new airport.
We need to intensify cooperation with China over Hong Kong to bring about a smooth transition in 1997. In doing this we must be sure that the Hong Kong Government retain the ability properly to administer Hong Kong up to 1997. We believe that the agreement on the airport has given us a firm basis on which to proceed with the Chinese.
I was particularly pleased to note your authorities' emphasis on the importance of the agreement to the international community. It is right to underline international commitment to the success of the Joint Declaration and to the maintenance of Hong Kong's
ANTABB/CC